Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-09-13
CHAPTER V.

Il swear W YOU, ny All IuaJ nOlu mos
precious-my wife, my child-that l hav,
told you the truth, said Roger, almost stifleS
by the violence of his emotion.
"How can the law believe you, Laroque, Il
you taso away tho only means possible Of
proving your innocencer
"By the grace of God Let my destiny bC
accomplished" said Roger, in firm tone
and rising to his feet ARREST me- am
ready to follow you; but remember, have
nothing more TO say"
"Strange obstinacy," murmured NJ. Lie
nard. Then aloud: "Then 1 must arrest YOU.
You wished it, and have forced me to do SO. n
The magistrate put his notes in order and
made Laroque sign his responses, received
the declaration Of Jean Guerrier, and with
the report OF the expert and the notes that
formed part of the accusation, made packet
which was to go to Versailles to the judge
who was charged with the signing. At this
minute the clock struck 12
"Follow me, said Lienard.
In passing through tho counting room
Roger found assembled all the employees, with
Jean Guerrier, and all having presentiment
Of coming trouble. They all gathered around
him.
my friends" said Roger, ~ am arrested,
charged with horrible crime-murder fol.
lowed by robbery. | AM going to leave you,
but be assured shall not DO gone long. /
shall have soon established my innocence.
Continue 10 my service. Jean, leave you in
full charge. Goodby, my children"
Guerrier WAS the only one who embraced
him.
'This accusation IS ridiculous" said he,
consolingly. you will justify yourself
easily"
Laroque smiled, though he had no faith in
establishing his Innocence. In the courtyard
were gathered Al the workmen, and the word
passed like wiiHfire, 1.-THE patron is arrested
Laroque walked between the two detectives,
who held his arms His men adored him for
his uniform justice, kindness and upright
character In one moment they were sur
rounded by these strong workmen, and La
rogue would have had TO make but sign to
be free. Lienard understood this, and ex-
perienced moments uneasiness.
BE calm, my children said Roger, "and
leave us. am the victim of some mistake,
and tonight, or at least tomorrow, l shall be
here. Do not be uneasy about your pay,
which you will receive tonight from your
foreman
The busy fabric was still, for it was the
dinner hour, and Roger turned at the gate
and looked back at the building with heart
full OF despairing grief, a sinister PRESENT.
ment ~ shall never see this again, p thought
be. And leaning from the carriage he looked
back at the dusty windows with aching eyes.
During the return voyage to Versailles,
which be made between the two detectives,
be thought of nothing but his wife and child.
When the train passed before Vile d'Avray
his heart swelled. There but few steps from
him were the two cherished loves OF his life,
and as the windows Of the car were lowered
on account OF the heat he had sort of hallu-
cination, he was so far from the truth
He imagined he heard the silvery voice Of
Suzanne, while she ran gayly among tho
flowers. Then he closed his eyes and wept in
silence
Roger Laroque had married Henriette, the
only child of George Bernardo, proprietor of
the machine works ut Rue Saint Maur. His
marriage with Henriette was the occasion Of
his being taken into partnership with his
fatherin-law, who was In poor health. And
soon the death of NJ Bernardo made him sols
master Of the great works. 1t was not great
fortune, but perhaps was the means OF future
WEALTH. DuI IL was PROOF OF his proDlty tinu
honor that Henriette's father should have left
1t to him.
Roger was young and strong. He had
great confidence in himself, and instead Of
going along ip the same old way he extended
the business, enlarged tho shops and looked
about for new openings. As be did not possess
the machinery necessary to carry out bis new
plans, he accepted from an old friend of his
fathers, Celestin Vaubernon, en- old macbin-
list like himself, q Joan Of a 10000 francs,
which enabled him 20 get new and improved
machinery to fill the new orders be received
and augmenting thus the productive power
of the house gave it new life and vigor. He
had faith in the future, and indeed the two
following years were very profitable